Federal fisheries officials say a combination of factors
have prompted them to issue a new call for nominations to fill two United
States commissioner seats on the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the
call for new nominations was to be published today in the Federal Register and
nominations will be accepted for 30 days.
The commissioners represent the interests of the United
States and all of its stakeholders in the Pacific halibut fishery, while
working to develop Pacific halibut stocks to levels that will permit the
optimum yield from the fishery jointly managed with Canada.
The US Commissioners are appointed for a term not to exceed
two years, but they are eligible for reappointment. Commissioners are not paid
for their work, but the US State Department pays their travel expenses for two
or three trips annually.
Back in the spring of 2012, NOAA Fisheries publicly
solicited nominations for two presidential appointments to serve as US
commissioners to the IPHC. It was the first time ever that nominees for IPHC
commissioner seats were sought through an open, public nomination process.
NOAA officials said Jan. 15 that while the initial
nomination list included many strong candidates, the combination of a number of
factors resulted in the decision to re-initiate the public nomination process. These
factors include the lapse of time since original nominees expressed interest in
an appointment, and consideration of balanced representation on the commission.
Those interested may contact NOAA Fisheries at IPHC2013nominations@noaa.gov,
Fax 1-301-713-2313, or write to Patrick Moran, National Marine Fisheries
Service Office of International Affairs, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring,
MD 20910
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